Recommended Destinations to visit in West Bengal | My Picks

“Calcutta is not for everyone.
You want your city clean and green, stick to Delhi.
You want your city rich and impersonal, go to Bombay.
You want them hi-tech and full of draught beer, Bangalore’s your place.
But if you want a city with a soul, come to Calcutta”
-Vir Sanghvi

West Bengal, home to the Bengali people, is also the state containing erstwhile capital of India, Kolkata. Along with a wide variety of flavors, friendly folks, and a rich culture, West Bengal is also home to some of the best destinations in India. Some offbeat and some mainstream. But, West Bengal as a state has something for everybody!

Here, I am sharing my picks in West Bengal which you can consider while planning a trip. Of course, the first destination I’d recommend would be Kolkata. Too obvious, but there is definitely alluring about this city. Couldn’t help, but include it as the first recommendation here!

Kolkata – The Erstwhile capital of India, this city is one that you should definitely visit while in India. Not only do you get to see recommended attractions like The Indian Museum, Birla Planetarium, and the Kolkata Race Course, but also you get to have a feel of how it feels to live in a city with a heart. Come during Durga-Puja, and you shall see a festival grander than the Rio Carnival. Lost in the city? A Calcuttan will be proud to show you around. Home to the mecca of Indian Cricket-Eden Gardens, Kolkata also boasts of some prestigious universities. In Kolkata, you just cannot run out of places to visit. Whether you are a religious person, or a wanderer or someone who just likes to go out and lose himself in the crowd. Food options are innumerable, from kebabs to smoked octopus. The city is open and rather encourages a multitude of new restaurants offering scrumptious food.

Image Source

• Darjeeling – Visitors from every country flock to this hill city to enjoy the scenic beauty and enjoy some days of peace. With a market that sells anything from jackets to trinkets and some brilliant cafes like Glenarys and Keventers, Darjeeling has a lot to offer. In case you are a tea drinker, you are in for a treat. The best tea in the world grows in Darjeeling. Most of it is exported, however, you just might be able to get your hands on the first flush of the season. Darjeeling is connected well by road. You can use Redbus Offers to get yourself a comfortable bus ride from the foothills to this abode among the clouds.

Image Source

• Sundarbans – Sundarban is an amalgamation of many treats for a wildlife enthusiast. The largest delta, and also the largest mangrove forest, is here in the Sundarbans of West Bengal. The Sundarban Tiger Reserve, recognized by the UNESCO as a heritage site has the highest tiger population in the world and if you are lucky enough, in a week’s holiday, you might catch one glimpse. I visited Sundarbans long time ago and witnessed the magnanimity of a white tiger! The thick forest surrounding you all the time conjures up a cherishable moment!

• Mandarmani – Now let’s shift to an offbeat destination. Mandarmani-the longest beach in India is not frequented by travelers and if you are a beach-lover, you will be surprised to see, that there is never a crowd on this beach. If you are looking for a laid-back weekend away from the crowd, this is the place where you should head to. Not only are the number of people less, but the view of the sea is amazing and I would take a bath in the sea every day, while I was there. Nowadays, with more influx of people, all-terrain vehicles and all can be rented to ride through the entire beach. The innumerable resorts have their own swimming pools and other facilities to keep you busy and it shall be a tour you’d always remember as something revitalizing.

Image Source

• Kalimpong – Kalimpong is a lovely hill station, located in the lower Himalayas, at a height of 1250metres. Looking over the Teesta River, Kalimpong is an ideal place for you if you are a nature lover as this place offers not only amazing views but also a tranquil environment, to attain peace of mind. A wide array of flowers and monasteries located every few miles, are enough to keep you busy for quite a few days. Being a center for Buddhism, you shall learn quite a bit about this peaceful religion.

Do share your thoughts about my picks in comments below. You can check for some Redbus and Cleartrip Coupons which might help you in saving some money while booking a flight or bus.

Have you already been to these places? Let me know your experience below!